Allies condemned Russia’s decision to recognise the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, as well as Russia’s further incursion into Ukraine. Calling this a “serious escalation by Russia,” NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg said Moscow had moved from covert attempts to destabilise Ukraine to overt military action, with many Russian units forward deployed in combat formations and “ready to strike.” The Secretary General commended Ukraine for its restraint in not responding to Russia’s repeated provocations. “We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and its government,” he…
